Readings staff customerservice@readings.com.au http://www.readings.com.au/feed/collection/monster-blood-tattoo 2008-05-06T03:42:45Z 9781862916876 <p>The Half-Continent is becoming even more unsafe - monster attacks are on the rise, and every far-flung village or town is calling for help to fight them. Into this dangerous landscape the lamplighters must venture daily, keeping the roads safely lit for travellers. It is not a job for the faint-hearted, and every week there are reports of new theroscades. Foundling Rossamnd Bookchild, sworn into the Emperor's Service as a prentice lamplighter, is finding his training at Winstermill Fortress difficult and lonely. His life is further complicated by the arrival of a young wit, determined to spite her famous mother by becoming a lowly lantern-stick. As Rossamnd begins to make new friends in this sinister world, he also seems to make more enemies, finding himself pushed towards a terrible destiny, a fate beyond anything he could ever have imagined.</p> 9781862916326 <p>Set in a world of tricorn hats, frockcoats and flintlock pistols, Monster Blood Tattoo abounds with monsters, chemical potions and surgically altered people. In this first book, 'Foundling', David Cornish begins the journey of a young boy, Rossamund, a boy with a girl's name, who is about to begin a life as a lamplighter in the service of the Haacobin Emperor. What begins as a simple journey is threatened by encounters with monsters - and people, who may be worse. Learning who to trust and who to fear is neither easy nor without its perils, and Rossamund must choose his path carefully. This is a truly original story - highly unusual among the vast array of fantasy novels available today. Lavishly illustrated by the author, an accomplished artist.</p>